Nevada will become the 19th state on Saturday to require that motorists give bicyclists at least 3 feet of space when passing.
Cyclists will celebrate the measure with the “3 Sweet Feet Group Bicycle Ride” between the Reno and Sparks city halls that day to draw attention to the new law.
In addition, a “vulnerable users” law that smacks harsher penalties on motorists who cause injury to bicyclists or pedestrians also goes into effect on Saturday, Oct. 1, as does a law prohibiting cell phone use while driving.
Three-foot laws were enacted earlier this year in Kansas and Georgia. Further, a 3-foot passing bill has been approved by the California state legislature and is awaiting the signature of Gov. Jerry Brown. (This is by no means a “done deal.” Send a CalBike's letter of support to the governor.)
See also: “19 states require 3-feet when passing bicyclists”
These Nevada laws didn't just happen on their own. They're the result of lots of hard work by the Nevada Bicycle Coalition, Muscle Powered (of Carson City), Reno Bike Project, and the Nevada Bicycle Advisory Board.
SB 248 was signed by Nevada Gov. Bryan Sandoval on May 19. It prohibits motorists from intentionally interfering with a person lawfully riding an electric bicycle or a bicycle. Further:
“When overtaking or passing an electric bicycle or bicycle proceeding in the same direction, the driver of a motor vehicle must exercise due care and:
“If there is only one lane for traffic proceeding in the same direction, pass to the left of the bicycle or electric bicycle at a safe distance, which must not be less than 3 feet from any portion of the bicycle or electric bicycle…”
While the 3-foot passing laws have been somewhat of a battle ground in many states during the past decade, the “vulnerable users” bills have been gaining traction in only the past few years.
The vulnerable user bill — AB 328 — was signed by the governor on June 10 and is described by the Nevada Bicycle Coalition as being similar to one in Oregon.
It provides that a driver who strikes a bicyclist or pedestrian while violating certain rules of the road, such as speeding, can be prosecuted with reckless driving, a misdemeanor. Those charges can result in a fine and possible jail time and loss of driving privileges.
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